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CHRISTMAS   UNDER   THREE   FLAGS 


n  merry  Christmas  to  One  ana  M 


€brj$ttiia$  Under  Dree  flags 


BEING  MEMORIES  OF  HOLIDAY  FESTIVITIES  IN 
THE  WHITE  HOUSE  WITH  "OLD  HICKORY," 
IN  THE  PALACE  OF  H.  R.  H.  PRINCE  OF 
PRUSSIA,  AFTERWARDS  EMPEROR  WILLIAM  I., 
AND  AT  THE  ALAMO  WITH  THE  ALCALDE'S 
DAUGHTER.  ....  .  . 


Mary  Emily  Donelson  Wilcox 


Tllustratcd 


Ulasbinston 

Publisbea  by  Cbe  ncalc  eompany 

mem 


Copyrighted,    1900,    by  Mary  Emily   Donelson  Wilcox 


< 


LOVINGLY    DEDICATED    TO    THE    DE7\R 

DAUGHTER    WHO    DEDICATES 

HER    LIEE    TO    i"IE 


(X)N  rriNTS 

Sancta  Claus  at  the  V\'hite  House  in 

Old  Hickory's  Day   ....         17 

A  Royal  Christmas  Tree,  Berlin,  1847         47 

The    Alcalde's    Daughter    and    Her 

Christmas  Lamp 71 


LIST  or  iLLusriOTnoNS 

The  Model  American  Home 6 

Andrew  Jackson l6 

Mrs.  Andrew  Jackson 21 

Mrs.  Emily  Donelson 29 

Rachel  Donelson 33 

Martin  Van  Buren 41 

Brandenbur,tr  Gate,  Berlin 49 

Louise,    Queen    of    Prussia,    and    her    Sons     Frederic 

William  and  William 53 

The  Old  Sans  Souci  Mill 61 

William  I.,  Emperor  of  Germany 65 

The  Alamo 73 

The  Alcalde's  Dau^yhter 81 

San  Fernando  Cathedral -      .       .89 


Andrew  Jackson 


SANCIA     CLrtUS     AT     THI:    WHITI: 
IIOILSI:   IN   OLD   mCKOPY^S   DAY. 


^ii« 


rHROUGH  tlie  mist  of  years  I  recall  a  Merry 
Christmas  in  my  childhood's  home  long  ago, 
and  sweeter  than  music  across  still  waters  come 
memories  of  the  blessed  inHuences  voicing  in  that 
historic  mansion  on  that  memorable  occasion  the 
glad  tidings  from  Bethlehem:  "Peace  on  earth, 
good  will  towards  men."  The  White  House, 
always  an  ideal  domestic  center,  was,  during 
President  Jackson's  occupancy,  the  model  American 
home  —  love,  kindness  and  charity  guarding  it  like 
sentries,  happiness  and  content  overshadowing  it 
like  angel  wings.  Known  to  the  worid  as  the  man 
whose  iron  will  and  fierce,  ungovernable  temper 
defied  opposition  and  courted  antagonism,  he  was 
the  gentlest,  tenderest,  most  patient  of  men  at  his 
own  fireside.     His  household  included  the  families 

'7 


('UilsiiUcKs  Uiidor    VUw'C   ruui.s 

of  his  adopted  son  and  private  secretary,  and  Mrs. 
Donelson  and  Mrs.  Jackson,  handsome,  accom- 
p.ished,  re  ined;  Major  Donelson  and  Mr.  Jackson, 
brave,  cultured,  public -spirited,  ably  assisted  him  in 
discharging'  his  high  duties,  and  by  their  tact  and 
grace  obtained  for  his  administration  its  unequaled 
social  prestige.  Loving,  enjoying  children  as  child- 
less old  people  often  do,  and  never  so  happy  as 
when  giving  happiness  to  others,  he  made  life  for 
us  little  ones, —  Donelsons.  four ;  Jacksons,  two,— 
clustering  around  his  knee  as  around  a  doting 
grandfather's,  well  worth  living". 

Among  the  many  bright  incidents  associated 
with  the  special  Christmas  so  pleasantly  remembered 
to-day  were  an  East  Room  frolic  and  an  unforgetable 
visit  from  Sancta  Claus.  The  invitations  for  the 
former,  which  was  probably  the  most  enjoyable  and 
successful  juvenile  fete  ever  given  at  the  National 
Capital,  read:  "The  children  of  President  Jackson's 
family  request  you  to  join  them  on  Christmas  Day, 
at  four  o'clock  P.  M.,  in  a  frolic  in  the  East  Room. 
Washington,  December  19,  I835." 

Delivering  them,  receiving  the  acceptances, — 
there  were  few  regrets,—  selecting  the  games  to  be 
played  and  arranging  other  matters  relating  thereto, 
proved  inexhaustible  sources  of  fun,  subordinate 
only  to  curiosity  as  to  Sancta  Claus  and  his  mys- 


/\r  the  \\'\\\\c  lloiLsc  in  Old   Mickonrs  Dciii 

terious  movements.  His  g'enerosity  on  former 
occasions  tempted  us  to  expect  great  results  from 
his  next  visit,  and,  wondering  whether  he  would 
come,  if  so,  what  he  would  bring  us,  how  he 
looked  and  where  he  lived,  we  questioned  the 
house  servants  and  attendants,  with  whom  we  were 
privileged  pets  and  among  whom  were  some  most 
interesting"  personalities  ;  their  answers,  however, 
unlike  the  enchanted  oracle  in  fairy  lore,  neither 
removing  doubt  nor  contirming  hope. 

Mammy,  a  large,  handsome  mulatto,  saucy  and 
good-natured,  fussy  and  domineering,  as  nursery 
autocrats  generally  are,  and  whom  we  both  loved 
and  feared,  said  :  "  1  wish  to  goodness  you  children 
would  stop  talking  about  old  Sindy  Klaws.  I  'd 
laugh  if,  tired  of  roaming  'round  nights,  filling 
stockings,  he  'd  stay  at  home  and  roast  chestnuts 
by  his  own  fire." 

Jimmy  O'Neil,  our  favorite  usher  and  a  typical 
son  of  Erin,  said  :  "  1  could  tell  you  lots  about 
Saint  Patrick,  but  mighty  little  about  Sindy  Klaws. 
I  think,  however,  he  and  1  must  look  alike,  for 
Mammy  alwa3S  says  when  1  make  her  a  present, 
'  Go  away,  Jimmy,  you  're  as  big  a  fool  as  Sindy 
Klaws,  always  giving  people  things.'  "  We  shook 
our  heads.  "  No,  no,  Jimmy  ;  you  are  thin  as  a 
rail,  have  black,  scraggly  hair,  a  long,  sharp   nose 

19 


("I\ri>lii\ci>  iiivlci'    rUivc   ricKKs 

and  no  beard,  and  everybody  knows  Sancta  Clans 
to  be  fat,  squatty,  with  a  red  face,  long-  white 
beard  and  wearing  a  baggy  coat  crammed  wiih  toys 
and  goodies." 

Vivart,the  French  cook,  whose  toothsome  sweets 
invested  him  with  great  importance  in  our  hungry 
eyes  and  whom  we  waylaid  on  his  morning  visit  to 
mv  mother,  said :  "  I  no  acquaint  with  Monsieur 
Sancta  Claus ;  he  no  live  in  Paris,  hi  my  beauiiful 
France  across  the  blue  sea  les  petils  eiifaus  never 
ask  questions,  speak  only  when  spoken  to,  then  with 
modest  curtsies  and  downcast  eyes." 

"  Ah,  ha  !  "  chuckled  Mammy,  '*  Mr.  Vivart  gi\  es 
you  a  lesson,  in  manners." 

Hans,  the  German  gardener,  whose  stories  about 
Rhine  castles  and  Black  Forest  witches  and  fairies 
were  even  more  relished  than  the  fruit  and  tlowers 
he  brought  upstairs  every  morning,  said  :  "  I  'm  sure 
Kris  Kringle  will  come  ;  he  might  forget  some 
children,  but  not  VN'hite  House  ones,  though  I  think 
it  strange  he  does  not  hang  his  pretty  things  on  a 
green  tree  instead  of  stuffing  them  in  ugly  stockings. 
How  1  wish  you  could  see  the  beautiful  trees  which 
the  boys  and  girls  in  Germany  trim  and  light  on 
Christmas  Eve,  and  where  they  gather  to  sing  songs, 
play  games  and  exchange  presents.  Heaven  seems 
very  near  at  those  times." 


Mrs.  Andrew  Jackson 


A\  ri\c  \V\\\\v  Wnwsc  ii\  Old   llukorii'.s  Ixii) 

"  Your  German  trees  may  be  lovely,  Hans,"  said 
Carita,  a  Mexican  embroideress  occasionally  em- 
ployed by  my  motber,  "  but  tbey  can't  compare  witb 
the  fancy  lamps  which  tlie  Rio  Gnnde ji/ni/os  hang- 
on  poles  and  bushes  near  their  liomes  on  Christmas 
Eve,  and  beneath  which  they  tind.tlie  next  morning- 
the  beautiful  gifts  left  for  them  by  the  jnfant  Jesus 
on  His  way  from  heaven  to  the  Virgin's  arms." 

She  often  told  us  stories  descriptive  of  Mexican 
customs,  and  had  just  commenced  one  about  the 
Alcalde's  daughter  when  Mammy  called  us  to  put  on 
our  wraps  to  go  riding  with  the  President,  who 
wished  us  to  meet  him  at  the  front,  door.  Something 
like  the  "  Divinity  that  doth  hedge  a  king  "  invested 
him  in  our  eyes,  and  always  granting,  often  antici- 
pating, his  wishes,  we  never  dared  oppose  or  disobey 
his  orders.  V\  hile  waiting,  George,  the  coachman, 
told  us  of  some  bad  children  who  found  in  their 
Christmas  stockings  a  bundle  of  peach  tree  switches 
wrapped  in  paper  labeled :  "  To  be  applied  when 
spanking  has  proved  insufficient,"  and  said  he  hoped 
we  would  fare  letter.  Now  we  had  on  several 
occasions  come  in  close  contact  with  pe^ch  tree 
switches,  but  we  did  not  thank  George  for  reminding 
us  of  the  stinging  experiences. 

"  1  o  the  Orphan  Asylum,"  said  the  President  on 
entering  the  carriage,  in  which  were  several  packages, 


Christinas  UiicJer  TUree  riags 

and  up  in  front  was  a  basket  of  ^ood  things.  He 
often  drove  there,  taking  me,  cousin  Rachel  (his 
adopted  son's  daughter  and  the  apple  of  his  eye), 
and  John  along,  it  was  at  that  time  a  small,  modest 
structure  with  a  limited  number  of  patients,  but  its 
foundress,  Mrs.  Van  Ness,  had  secured  for  it  some 
influential  patrons,  among  whom  President  Jackson, 
to  whom  all  orphans  were  objects  of  tender  solicitude, 
was  not  the  least  zealous.  The  following  conversa- 
tion enlivened  the  ride  : 

John  :  "  Uncle  "  (the  name  affectionately  applied 
to  him  by  his  wife's  nieces  and  nephews),  "  did  you 
ever  see  Sancta  Claus  ?  " 

The  President,  eyeing  John  curiously  over  his 
spectacles  :  "  No,  my  boy  ;  1  never  did." 

John  :  *'  Mammy  thinks  he  '11  not  come  to-night. 
Did  you  ever  know  him  to  behave  that  way  ?  " 

The  President :  "We  can  only  wait  and  see.  i 
once  knew  a  little  boy  who  not  only  never  heard  of 
Christmas  or  Sancta  Claus,  but  never  had  a  toy  in 
his  life ;  and  after  the  death  of  his  mother,  a  pure, 
saintly  woman,  had  neither  home  nor  friends." 

Chorus  of  children:  "Poor  little  fellow!  Had 
he  come  to  the  White  House  we  would  have  shared 
our  playthings  with  him." 

The  children,  quick  to  detect  emotion,  felt  that 
some  sad  memory  stirred  the  old  man's  heart,  though 

24 


7\\  me  Whirc  HoiLse  \\\  Old  Hickorg'.s  ixiy 

we  little  suspected  he  was  referring  to  his  own  deso- 
late childhood. 

The  President,  after  some  moments'  silence : 
"  The  best  way  to  secure  happiness  is  to  bestow  it 
on  others,  and  we'll  begin  our  holiday  by  remember- 
ing the  little  ones  who  have  no  mothers  or  fathers  to 
brighten  life  for  them."  To  the  sweet-faced  matron 
who  welcomed  us  he  said  :  "  Here  I  am  with  some 
Christmas  cheer  for  your  young  charges."  The 
children  gathered  in  the  reception  room,  and  it  was 
gratifying  to  see  their  faces  light  up  as,  greeting  each 
one,  he  distributed  his  gifts,  and  even  more  gratifying 
was  it  to  note  his  pleasure  at  their  grateful  surprise. 
Raising  in  his  arms  a  crippled  boy,  who  replied  to  his 
inquiry, "  Better,  General ;  but,  oh !  so  tired,"  he  gave 
him  a  jumping-jack,  saying:  "Let  's  see  how  this 
works,"  and  the  delighted  child  cried:  "Ain't  that 
cute?  Hopping  up  and  down  just  like  an  organ 
grinder's  monkey." 

The  day,  warm  and  bright,  was  more  like  May 
than  December;  the  parks,  then  only  grassy  commons 
shaded  by  native  trees,  were  still  green,  and  the 
roses  in  the  grounds  adjoining  all  buildings  were 
still  in  full  bloom. 

Returning  home  we  called  at  several  houses  to 
leave  Christmas  souvenirs  sent  by  my  mother  and 
Mrs.  Jackson:  a  package  of  snuff  for  Mrs.  Madison, 

25 


Chri.shiuLs  Uivin-    lluxr   riiig.s 

then  visiting"  Washington  relatives ;  a  hand-painted 
mirror  for  Mr.  Van  Buren,  who  was  reputed  to  be 
on  very  good  terms  witii  his  looking-glass,  and  some 
embroidered  handkerchiefs  '  Carita's  handiwork)  for 
intimate  friends. 

During  President  Jackson's  incumbency  the 
White  House  family,  children  included,  except  on 
state  occasions,  met  at  meal  time,  breakfast  being  at 
eight  o'clock,  dinner  at  two,  and  supper  at  half-past 
six.  Mrs.  Donelson  sat  at  the  head  of  the  table,  the 
President  at  the  foot ;  we  stood  at  our  chairs  until 
he  asked  a  blessing,  and  at  the  close  of  meals  were 
excused  by  a  signal— smile  or  gesture  —  from  my 
mother.  Always  serving  the  children  first,  saying 
they  have  better  appetites,  less  patience,  and  should 
not  be  required  to  wait  until  their  elders  are  helped, 
he  encouraged  us  to  talk  and  ask  questions,  evidently 
enjoying-  our  remarks.  He  often  rose  early  and 
went  with  us  to  Jackson  (now  La  Fayette;  Square 
for  a  game  of  mumble-the-peg,  and  occasionally, 
when  supposed  to  be  wrestling  with  state  problems, 
hurling  anathemas  at  Clay,  Biddle,  Adams,  and 
other  opponents,  he  might  have  been  found  in  our 
play-room  soothing  some  childish  grievance  or  join- 
ing in  some  impromptu  romp. 

After  supper  we  began  preparations  for  the  all- 
important,  eagerly-anticipated  event,  hanging  up  our 


/\r  rlu'  \\'\\\\c  lioiksr  ii\  Old   liicUorv's  Ixiij 

stockings.  Uncle  had  invited  us,  overruling  my 
mother's  protest  that  we  might  disturb  him,  to  use 
his  room,  and  tliither  we  merrily  trooped,  he  leading 
and  apparently  deeply  interested.  My  brothers, 
Jackson  and  John,  cousin  Rachel  and  I  borrowed 
Mammy's  stockings,  which,  as  she  tipped  the  beam 
at  200,  were  as  capacious  as  the  Galilee  tishermen's 
nets  she  often  referred  to.  Cousin  Rachel  and 
brother  Jackson  hung  theirs  to  side  hooks  on  the 
mantel,  1  mine  to  the  fancy  hearth  broom,  and  John, 
who  was  a  born  artist,  his  to  a  boot-jack  carelessly 
left  on  Uncle's  green  leather  arm  chair ;  two  smaller 
stockings  for  the  babies,  my  little  sister  and  young 
cousin,  dangled  from  curtain  rings  at  the  foot  of  the 
bed.  In  the  center  of  a  large,  airy,  handsomely-fur- 
nished room  stood  a  writing  table  at  which  the 
President  and  his  Private  Secretary  often  sat  until 
the  "  wee  sma  "  hours,  discussing  state  matters  and 
examining  documents  relating  to  them.  Amid  the 
papers  promiscuously  piled  up  thereon  was  an  Old 
Testament  that  had  belonged  to  his  mother,  his 
wife's  Bible  and  a  frame  holding  her  miniature. 

Surveying  witli  delight  the  room  after  we  had 
disposed  of  our  stockings,  we  declared  it  reminded 
us  of  the  Masonic  Bazaar  being  held,  which  we  had 
attended.  Then  brother  Jackson  had  a  bright  idea. 
"  Why  not  hang  up  a  stocking  for  Uncle  ? "  and 


G\i'i>rnuLs  Llivlcr    I  l\ivc   TkigS 

running"  to  the  Bureau  he  took  a  sock  from  the 
bottom  drawer,  tied  it  to  the  tongs  and  cried  :  "  Now 
let 's  see  how  Sancta  Claus  will  treat  you,  Mr.  Uncle 
Jackson,  President  of  all  these  United  States ! " 
Surprised  and  amazed,  the  old  man  said  :  "  Well, 
well,  to  think  I  've  waited  nearly  seventy  years  to 
hang  up  a  Christmas  stocking."  ''  Better  late  than 
never,"  added  brother  Jackson. 

We  begged  to  be  allowed  to  sit  up  to  see  Sancta 
Claus  come  down  the  chimney  and  pass  through  the 
fire  without  scorching  his  bundles,  declaring  we  were 
not  sleepy  and  promising  never  to  be  naughty  again ; 
then  when  Mammy  hustled  us  oft  nolens  voleris  to 
bed,  we  vowed  we  'd  lie  awake  all  night,  and,  still 
protesting,  sank  into  tired  childhood's  dreamless 
slumber.  About  daybreak  Mammy's  shrill  voice 
calling  "  Christmas  gift,  you  sleepy  heads ! " 
awoke  us,  and  amazed,  indignant,  to  find  we  had 
slept  soundly  after  all,  we  sprang  from  bed  and 
darted  in  our  bare  feet,  unheeding  her  cries,  "  Wait 
till  you  're  dressed,  you  '11  catch  your  death  of 
cold,"  across  the  hall  to  Uncle's  room  and  asked, 
"  Did  Sancta  Claus  come  ?  "  "  See  for  yourselves," 
said  he,  opening  his  door.  He  was  up  and  dressed, 
had  a  bright  fire,  and  watched  us  tenderly,  as  rushing 
in  we  seized  our  stockings,  each  one,  his  included, 
being  well  filled,  and  beneath  them  the  presents  we 


Mrs.  Emily  Doiielson 


29 


A\  \\\c  W'Uirc  lloiLsc  ii\  Old  llickorii'.s  Dciv 

specially  desired  —  for  him  a  cob-pipe,  pair  of  warm 
slippers  and  tobacco  bag- ;  for  brother  Jackson,  then 
eight  years  old  and  very  mannish,  talking  grandly 
about  shooting  on  the  tly  and  jumping  the  hurdle, 
a  small  gun,  saddle  and  bridle  ;  for  John  a  hobby 
horse  and  drum,  for  me  and  cousin  Rachel  a  doll  and 
tea-set  each,  and  for  the  babies  toy  rattles.  Deligiited 
we  voted  Sancta  Claus  to  be  llie  nicest  old  fellow 
in  the  world. 

Had  we  known  our  real  benefactor  we  would 
have  felt  some  disappointment,  dearly  as  we  loved 
him,  for  the  occult  has  indescribable  fascination  for 
children,  who,  though  grasping,  loving  to  hoard  and 
accumulate,  find  in  the  mystery  surrounding  Sancta 
Claus  a  charm  surpassing  even  his  bounty.  See 
a  child  spring  from  bed  early  Christmas  morning, 
grasp  and  examine  its  stocking,  finding  in  it  long- 
coveted,  unlooked-for  treasures,  meanwhile  imagin- 
ing the  fat,  white-bearded  old  man  crossing,  like 
''  Puss  in  Boots,"  hill  and  dale,  sea  and  lake,  to  bring 
it  presents,  bending  perchance  over  its  sleeping  form 
to  imprint  a  kiss,  then  slipping  away  without  waiting 
to  be  thanked.  Can  human  fancy  picture  a  more 
entrancing  scene  ?  When  in  after  years  does  any 
moment  yield  more  unalloyed  bliss  ? 

Mammy,  often  provoking  with  her  strict  notions 
of  nursery  discipline,  outdid  herself  that  morning, 


CKristiiAcXs  Under  Three  riags 


for  though  we  implored  her  to  let  us  empty  our 
stockings  just  to  see  if  that  lump  in  the  toe  was  a 
dime  or  quarter,  she  barbarously  put  them  away,  and 
rubbing-,  scrubbing,  combing,  curling,  as  if  for  dear 
life's  sake,  dressed  us  for  breakfast.  Below  stairs 
the  halls,  dining  and  sitting  rooms  decorated  with 
cedar  and  holly,  the  vases  filled  with  tlowers  on 
tables  and  mantels,  and  huge  logs  blazing  on  the 
hearths,  made  a  cheery,  comforting  scene. 

Though  President  Jackson  had  not  for  years 
used  any  intoxicants,  a  bowl  of  foaming  egg-nog 
graced  the  side-board,  and  on  tables  near  were 
presents  for  each  member  of  the  household.  Mrs. 
Donelson  occupied,  while  mistress  of  the  White 
House,  the  second -story  corner  room  facing  Penn- 
sylvania Avenue,  using  the  one  back  of  it  as  a 
nursery.  In  the  former  three  of  her  children,  Mary 
(myself),  John  and  Rachel,  credited  at  the  time  with 
being  the  first  births  in  the  Executive  Mansion,  were 
born,  her  eldest  child,  Jackson,  having  been  born  in 
Tennessee.  The  President's  adopted  son  and 
daughter  occupied  the  two  adjoining  rooms,  and  he 
the  central  one,  now  known  as  the  Prince  of  Wales' 
room  because  used  by  his  Royal  Highness  when 
President  Buchanan's  guest  in  i860.  The  play- 
room, belonging  to-day  to  the  official  suite,  was  near 
the  President's.      His  bed,  a  high,  four-post  carved 

32 


Rachel    Donelson 


33 


nt  the  White  lloiLsc  in  Okl  llirkorii'.s  Dciv 


mahogany,  with  tester  and  heavy  damask  curtains, 
was  reached  by  carpeted  steps  which  we  children 
dearly  loved  to  scamper  up  and  down.  When  ill 
we  often  carried  him  his  meals,  he  reciprocating  the 
attention  when  we  were  confined  in  bed.  Sui^'ering 
from  painful  respiration,  he  slept  propped  up  by 
high  pillows.  Opposite  his  bed  hung  his  wife's 
portrait  with  pictures  of  the  two  Rachels  on  either 
side,  a  standing  breakfast  question  being,  "  Which 
Rachel  did  you  look  at  first  this  morning,  uncle  ?  " 
the  lucky  one  being  the  morning  belle.  The  author 
and  sharer  of  most  of  our  pleasures,  he  often  shielded 
us  from  punishment  when  naughty,  and  my  mother 
once  bewailing  his  over-indulgence,  quoted  the 
Bible  :  "  Spare  the  rod  and  spoil  the  child,"  but  he 
replied:  "  1  think,  Emily,  with  all  due  deference  to 
the  Good  Book,  that  love  and  patience  are  better 
disciplinarians  than  rods."  Traveling,  he  generally 
took  along  a  box  of  silver  half-dollars  for  his  name- 
sakes, then  both  numerous  and  ubiquitous,  saying 
to  their  mothers  :  ''  Baby  can  cut  teeth  on  my  gift 
now,  later  show  him  his  country's  eagle  thereon, 
and  teach  him  to  love  and  honor  it." 

We  were  permitted  to  spend  the  morning,  and  a 
blissful  one  it  proved,  in  the  play-room,  where 
Uncle,  cousins  Sarah  and  Andrew,  my  mother  and 
father,  and  some  playmates  joined  us  and  helped  us 


35 


Chrishi^as  Under  Three  riags 


unload  our  stockings,  finding  in  each  a  silver  quarter, 
fruit,  candy,  cakes  and  nuts.  Many  friends  remem- 
bered us,  White  House  children  then,  as  now,  excit- 
ing much  public  interest.  Many  of  cousin  Rachel's 
presents  were  beautiful,  and  two  of  mine  were  so 
unique  and  pleasure-giving  that  after  all  these  sad 
years  they  still  loom  up  shining  milestones  in  child- 
hood's sunny  way.  Madame  Serrurier  of  the  French 
Legation  sent  me  a  boy  doll  wearing  the  red,  brass- 
button  jacket,  grey,  gold-striped  pants,  plumed 
chapeau,  spurs  and  sabre  worn  by  French  postilions. 
My  god-father,  the  Vice-President,  sent  me  a  min- 
iature cooking  stove  with  spirit  lamp  ready  to  light. 
1  had  had  many  handsome  dolls,  but  never  a  boy  doll 
before,  and  like  other  foolish  mothers  welcoming  a 
son  after  a  succession  of  disappointing  daughters  I 
clasped  him  in  my  arms  and  crowned  him  lord 
and  master  of  my  heart.  Wherever  I  went 
for  some  weeks  some  one  would  ask :  "  Mary, 
how  's  your  boy  ?  "  Lighting  the  lamp  in  the 
toy  stove  we  boiled  water  in  the  tiny  kettle  and 
popped  corn  in  the  oven,  shouting  gleefully  when 
the  kettle  sang  and  the  corn  executed  its  staccato 
dance,  occasionally  giving  us  a  hot  smack  on  the 
face  or  hands. 

The  etiquette  forbidding  ladies  presiding  over 
Executive   Mansions    from    receiving  or  returning 

36 


l\t  the  White  House  irv  Old  Hickory's  Dav 

social  calls  was  either  nori  est  or  disregarded  at  that 
time,  for  Mrs.  Donelson,  who  was  many  years  the 
junior  of  any  of  her  predecessors  or  successors,  and 
who  had  that  love  of  pleasure  and  desire  to  please 
natural  to  young,  attractive  women,  had  a  large 
visiting  list,  including  most  of  the  ladies  prominent 
in  social  and  official  circles.  Among  her  intimates 
were  Mrs.  Macomb,  Mrs.  R.  E.  Lee,  from  Arlington, 
Mrs.  Rives,  Mrs.  Blair,  Miss  Lizzie  Blair,  Mrs.  Watson 
and  her  daughters,  Misses  Cora  Livingston  and 
Rebecca  McLane.  Miss  Livingston,  who  was  my 
god-mother  and  mother's  dearest  friend,  was  for  many 
years  the  acknowledged  belle  of  Washington,  many 
distinguished  authors  paying  homage  in  familiar 
writings  to  her  rare  tact  and  personal  charm  and  im- 
parting to  her  social  triumphs  traditionary  interest. 

Not  the  least  of  that  happy  day's  diversions  was 
making  our  toilettes  for  the  afternoon  fete,  and  it 
was  amusing  to  see  the  high  and  mighty  airs  Mammy 
assumed  on  the  occasion,  changing  a  bow  here, 
supplying  a  pin  there,  arranging  plaits,  rutfles  and 
puiTs,  then  when  she  had  tlnished  dressing  us  survey- 
ing her  work  as  an  artist  might  a  completed  chef 
d'crtivre.  We  wore  the  costumes  presented  to  us 
by  our  parents  as  Christmas  gifts  —  Cousin  Rachel, 
who  was  pretty  and  graceful,  a  pink  cashmere  ;  1,  a 
blue  one ;  we  both  wore  silk  clock  stockings  with 

37 


Christmas  Under  Three  Flags 


kid  slippers.  John  was  gorgeous  in  a  Highland  plaid 
suit,  and  brother  Jackson,  who  was  tall,  erect  and 
handsome,  gave  promise  in  a  brass-button  jacket  of 
the  gallant  ot^icer  he  afterwards  became.  Miss  Cora 
Livingston,  who  kindly  volunteered  to  chaperone  the 
frolic,  came  about  four  and  led  the  way  to  the  East 
Room,  which  was  tastefully  decorated  with  ever- 
greens and  flowering  plants.  Our  guests  arrived 
promptly,  and  meeting  them  at  the  door,  we  kissed 
the  girls  and  shook  hands  with  the  boys.  The 
former  wore  light  colors,  the  latter  their  smartest 
suits,  all  making  a  brave  showing,  though  there  were 
no  elaborate  costumes,  styled  Worth  confections  and 
suggesting  Parisian  ballet  dancers,  like  those  seen 
nowadays  at  juvenile  gatherings.  Among  our  guests 
were  the  Woodbury,  Blake,  Jones,  Lee,  Macomb, 
Carroll,  Graham,  Turnbull,  Pleasanton,  Taney,  Cor- 
coran, Peters,  and  Hobbie  children,  with  all  of  whom 
we  were  well  acquainted,  having  dancing-school,  Sun- 
day-school, picnic  and  play-room  associations  in 
common.  A  few  older  guests,  Mrs.  Madison  bringing 
her  grand-niece,  Addie  Cutts ;  Mrs.  Lee  with  little 
Custis,  Baroness  Krudener,  Mesdames  Huygens  and 
Serrurier  and  Sir  Edward  Vaughn,  joined  the  Presi- 
dent and  members  of  his  family  in  the  Red  Room 
and  served  as  spectators  of  a  novel  and  delightful 
entertainment. 


A'r  rue  wmrc  llousc  \\\  Olcl  lllckorg's  Dav 


We  played  "Blind  Man's  Buff,"  "Hide  and 
Seek,"  "  Puss-in-the-Corner,"  and  several  juvenile 
forfeit  games,  all  entered  into  with  zest  and  thor- 
oughly enjoyed,  the  East  Room  proving  an  ideal 
play-ground,  and  the  players,  free  and  unrestrained 
as  if  on  a  Texas  prairie,  romping,  scampering,  shout- 
ing, laughing,  in  all  the  exuberance  of  childish  merry- 
making. Mr.  Van  Buren  and  Miss  Cora  joined  in, 
rather  led  the  games,  and  added  greatly  to  their  suc- 
cess. Several  amusing  incidents  varied  their  usual 
roLttine.  In  "  Hide  and  Seek "  the  switch,  after 
numerous  hot  and  cold  signals,  was  discovered  in  a 
boy's  jacket  pocket,  where  a  mischievous  girl  had 
slipped    it,   and    in   "  Puss-in-the-Corner,"    Willie 

M ,  provoked  with  Jennie  T ■  for  eluding  his 

grasp,  called  out:  "You  are  no  pussy,  but  a  slippery 
old  cat." 

Washington  gossips  accused  Mrs.  Donelson  of 
heading  a  conspiracy  to  make  a  match  between  the 
Vice-President  and  Miss  Cora,  but  as  she  married  a 
Mr.  Barton  some  years  later,  and  as  he  never  gave 
his  children  a  step-mother,  those  gossips  evidently 
erred  then  as  they  occasionally  do  to-day.  The 
failure  to  catch  them  together  beneath  the  mistletoe 
bough  suspended  from  the  central  East  Room 
chandelier  was  probably  the  only  disappointment  of 
the  evening,  all  hoping  that  such  a  conjunction  might 

39 


CKrishi^as  Under  Three  flags 


have  auspicious  results.  Mr.  Van  Buren,  having  in- 
curred a  penalty  in  a  forfeit  game,  was  sentenced  to 
stand  on  one  leg  and  say : 

"  Here  I  stand  all  lagii'cd  and  dirty. 
If  you  don't  come  kiss  me  I  '11  run  like  a  turkey  !  " 

and  no  kiss  being  volunteered,  he  strutted  like  a  game 
gobbler  across  the  room,  amid  peals  of  laughter. 
With   one  exception,  the  penalties  incurred  by  the 

children  were  bravely  paid.     Little  Mary ,  known 

to  have  a  sweet  voice,  when  sentenced  to  sing  "  A 
Paper  of  Pins,"  hung  her  head  shyly,  whispering  : 
"  1  'd  rather  dance  than  sing,"  then  when  led  out  to 
dance  she  burst  out  crying,  sobbing:  "  I  don't  want 
to  sing  or  dance.  Please  let  me  alone,"  and  Miss 
Cora,  taking  her  on  her  lap,  said  :  "  All  right,  Mary, 
1  '11  pay  your  forfeit,"  and  sang  very  sweetly: 

••  Oh  !  I  will  give  you  a  paper  of  pins, 
For  that  is  the  way  that  love  begins, 
If  you  will  marry  —  marry,  marry  me  !  " 

About  six  o'clock  the  dining-room  was  opened, 
displaying  a  picture  of  surpassing  beauty,  one  that 
the  four  seasons  and  field,  forest,  and  lake  had  united 
in  embellishing.  The  band  stationed  in  the  corridor 
struck  up  the  "  President's  March,"  and  Miss  Cora, 

40 


Martin  Van  Buren 


4' 


m  the  WKire  House  \f\  Old  Hickory's  Dciv 


forinin^r   us   in   line,  the   younger  couples  leading-, 
marshaled  us  into  supper.     The  scene  of  many  his- 
toric  banquets,   commemorating  great  events  and 
shared  by  world-wide  celebrities,  that  famous  room 
never  witnessed  one  in  which  the  decorator's  art,  or 
the  confectioner's  skill,  achieved  greater  triumphs  — 
Vivart,  hailed  as  Napoleon  of  Cocks,  Master  Chef 
de  Cuisine,  Wizard,  Magician,  receiving  hearty  con- 
gratulations on  all  sides.     In  the  center  of  a  maltese- 
cross-shaped  table  towered  a  pyramid  of  snow-balls, 
interspersed  with  colored  icicles  and  surmounted  by 
a  gilt  game  cock,  head  erect,  wings  outspread.     At 
the  upright  ends  of  the  cross  were  dishes  of  frozen 
marvels,  at   the   top  one  representing  iced  fruits— 
oranges,  apples,  pears,  peaches,  grapes  ;  at  the  bottom 
one  representing  iced  vegetables  —  corn ,  carrots,  beans, 
squashes.     At  one  transverse  end  was  a  tiny  frosted 
pine  tree,  beneath  which  huddled  a  group  of  toy 
animals  ;  at  the  other  a  miniature  rein-deer  stood  in  a 
plateau  of  water  in  which  disported  a  number  of 
gold-fish.     There  were  candies,  cakes,  confections  of 
every  conceivable   design ;  delicious  viands,  relishes 
and  beverages.     Though  almost  transfixed  with  ad- 
miring delight,  we  did  ample  justice  to  the  tempting 
repast  and  eagerly  accepted  the  lovely  ornaments 
given  us  as  souvenirs. 

After  supper  the  central  pyramid  was  demolished 

43 


Christmas  Under  Three  Tlags 


and  the  snow-balls,  which  were  made  of  non-com- 
bustible starch -coated  cotton,  each  one  enclosing  a 
French  pop-kiss,  were  distributed  to  us,  and  we  were 
invited  to  play  snow-ball  in  the  East  Room,  an  in- 
vitation the  more  joyfully  hailed  because  the  winter 
having  been  exceptionally  mild  we  had  been  debarred 
our  usual  snow-ball  games.  The  balls  striking  ex- 
ploded, and  for  some  moments  the  East  Room  was 
the  scene  of  an  exciting  snow  flurry,  with  the  startling 
addition  of  the  thunder  and  lightning  characteristic  of 
summer  storms.  The  President,  Mrs.  Madison,  and 
other  elderly  guests,  who  had  watched  the  game  from 
the  southern  end  of  the  room,  heartily  sharing  and 
enjoying  the  children's  merrim^ent,  were  spared,  but 
the  players,  pelting  each  other  unmercifully,  locked 
like  snow-entrapped  wayfarers.  It  was  great  tun  to 
see  them  dodging  the  balls  and  to  hear  them  scream 
when  struck,  though  the  balls,  being  soft  and  light, 
caused  no  bruises  and  inflicted  no  damage  on  clothes 
or  furniture.  The  game,  exhilarating  and  inspiring, 
was  provokingly  brief,  the  supply  of  snow-balls 
being  soon  exhausted.  1  hen  the  escorts  sent  for 
the  children  having  arrived.  Miss  Cora,  giving  us 
quietly  some  instructions,  reformed  us  in  line  as  at 
supper,  the  band  played  a  lively  air  and  we  marched 
several  times  around  the  room.  The  last  time,  bowing 
to  the  group  at  the  upper  end,  we  paused  before  the 

44 


T{\  the  White  HoiLse  \\\  OKI  HicKorv's  Dav 

President,  and  kissing  our  hands  to  him  said, "  Good- 
night, General " ;  he  smiling  and  bowing  in  return. 
"  What  a  beautiful  sight,"  said  Mrs.  Madison.  "  It 
reminds  me  of  the  fairy  procession  in  '  Midsummer 
Night's  Dream.'  "  ''  It  recalls  to  me,  Madam,"  said 
the  President,  "our  Divine  Master's  words:  'Suffer 
little  children  to  come  unto  me  and  forbid  them  not, 
for  of  such  is  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven.'  " 


4=> 


A   ROYAL  CHRISTMAS    11^1:1: 
f^lzRUM,   lo47 


titsti 


aMONG  our  Berlin  acquaintances  whom  daily 
association  transformed  into  friends  was 
Hermina,  eldest  daughter  of  Field  Marshal  von 
Boyen,  who  as  Blucher's  aid  at  Waterloo  had  greatly 
distinguished  himself.  Fraulein  von  Boyen,  who 
was  beautiful,  tactful  and  accomplished,  was  one  of 
the  Ladies-in-waiting  on  the  Princess  of  Prussia,  and 
enjoyed  in  an  exalted  degree  her  royal  mistress' 
esteem  and  confidence.  Knowing  we  had  never 
participated  in  a  Christmas  Tree  Celebration  and 
would  consider  doing  so  an  inestimable  privilege, 
she  offered  .to  obtain  for  us  an  invitation  to  the 
Christmas  Eve  festival  at  the  palace  of  H.  R.  H.  the 
Prince  of  Prussia.  Hence  when  a  liveried  courier 
delivered  at  the  American  Legation  an  envelope 
bearing:  the  royal  crest  we  were  not  surprised,  though 

47 


Christmas  UhcJer  Three  riags 


immeasurably  delighted.  The  invitation  read  :  ''  H. 
R.  H.  Crown  Princess  of  Prussia  requests  the  presence 
of  Misses  Mary  and  Rachel  and  Master  John  Donel- 
son  at  the  palace  of  H.  R.  H.  Prince  of  Prussia, 
December  24,  1847,  at  three  o'clock  P.  M.— R.  S. 
V.  P."  Little  republicans  though  we  were,  with 
democratic  ideas  of  social  equality,  we  were  much 
elated  at  the  prospect  of  witnessing  a  function 
affording  a  glimpse  of  the  inner  relations  of  royal 
circles. 

The  best  season  to  observe  those  domestic  cus- 
toms, associated  with  German  life  and  so  influential 
in  moulding  German  character,  is  Christmas ;  the 
best  place  is  the  parental  roof,  and  nothing  so 
eloquently  illustrates  the  simple  faith,  the  honest 
trust,  the  love  and  sympathy,  which  make  German 
homes  such  centers  of  peace  and  content,  as  the 
family  Christmas  tree. 

Every  soldier  in  camp  or  barracks,  every  sailor  on 
shore  or  in  harbor,  all  employes  of  stores  or  factories, 
in  private  or  public  bureaus,  that  can  be  spared,  are 
granted  furloughs,  to  be  spent  with  the  old  folks  at 
home.  Gift-making  becomes  epidemic,  all  yielding 
to  the  infection.  Generally,  immediately  after  the 
holidays  the  females  of  the  household  begin  pre- 
paring gifts  for  the  next  Christmas,  which  include, 
besides  dainty  knick-knacks,  exquisite  embroideries 

48 


o 


49 


A  Roijal  Christn^as  Tree 


and  costly  keepsakes,  useful,  serviceable  articles, 
such  as  flannels,  shoes,  stockings,  underwear,  house 
linen,  wraps  and  head -gear.  Many  touching  legends 
illustrate  the  kindly  sentiments  inspired  by  the 
occasion. 

A  little  girl  whose  mother,  a  poor  widow,  had 
told  her  not  to  expect  any  presents,  borrowed  pencil 
and  paper,  and  writing  the  following  letter,  addressed 
"  Holy  Child,  care  of  God  The  Father,"  dropped  it 
in  the  City  Post-Otfice:  ''Dear  Jesus:  Mamma 
says  we  are  too  poor  to  celebrate  your  birth-night, 
but  remembering  that  you  were  cradled  in  a  manger 
and  once  were  poor  and  lowly,  1  ask  you  to  have 
pity  on  me.  1  want,  oh,  so  much,  dear  Lord  !  a 
new  dress,  a  red  rosette  for  my  Sunday  hat,  and 
some  shoes  — wooden  ones  will  do.  Gretchen,  No. 
10,  5th  floor.  Poverty  Row."  Her  mother  took  her 
after  dinner  to  visit  the  shops  and  street  bazaars, 
saying :  ''  Seeing  pretty  things  is  almost  as  nice  as 
having  them."  Imagine  Gretchen's  surprise  on  re- 
turning home  to  find  a  small  tree,  trimmed  and 
ready  to  light,  in  their  garret,  and  beneath  it,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  things  she  had  mentioned,  a  shawl  for 
her  mother  and  a  package  of  cakes  and  nuts. 

The  lover  of  Roschen,  a  royal  kitchen  maid,  had 
been  convicted  of  larceny  and  imprisoned.  Her 
master,  a   liberal,  kind-hearted  prince,  ordered  his 


Christmas  Under  Three  riags 


steward  to  distribute,  as  usual  on  Christmas,  slips  of 
paper  to  the  under-maids  with  directions  to  write 
thereon  the  gifts  they  preferred.  On  Roschen's  slip 
was  written :  "  Most  gracious  highness :  1  appeal 
through  you  to  God  for  poor  Hans,  who,  though  he 
stole,  is  a  fine  fellow  and  very  dear  to  me.  That 
money  was  stolen  to  buy  our  wedding  ring.  Pardon 
him  this  once  and  I  guarantee  he  '11  lead  henceforth 
an  honest  life."  On  the  servants'  tree  was  a  box  for 
Roschen  enclosing  Hans'  pardon  and  money  to  buy 
wedding  suits  for  each. 

As  Frederic  William  the  Fourth  was  childless,  his 
brother  William  was  declared  heir  presumptive  and 
known  as  Prince  of  Prussia.  Cultured,  refined,  with 
Herculean  strength  and  Apollo-like  grace  and  beauty, 
he  was  the  beau  ideal  of  royalty,  adored  by  nobles 
and  burghers.  Forming  an  early  attachment  for  one 
of  his  mother's  maids  of  honor,  he  insisted  for  many 
years  —  the  anection  being  mutual  —  on  marrying  her, 
but  when  the  succession  devolved  on  him  he  man- 
fully sacrificed  individual  feeling  to  dynastic  interests 
and  contracted  an  alliance  with  Augusta,  Princess  of 
Saxe  Weimar.  Though  both  understood  that  per- 
sonal preference  played  no  part  in  their  union,  the 
most  critical  court  gossip  could  find  nothing  to  con- 
demn in  their  conjugal  relations  ;  she,  like  Caesar's 
wife,  above  suspicion,  yielding  him  wifely  obedience; 


Louise,  Queen  of  Prussia,  and  her  Sons 
Frederic  William  and  William 


5) 


A'  Royal  ChrLstmas  Tree 


he,  like  Bayard,  s^ws/)^///-  et  sans  reproche,  uniformly 
tender  and  attentive.  She  was  tall,  stately,  with 
regular  features,  cold,  haughty  manner,  every  look 
and  gesture  suggesting  ancestral  pride  and  conscious 
superiority,  yet  withal  capable  of  warm  attachments 
and  loyal  to  friends  once  tried.  Devoted  to  art  and 
literature,  she  was  the  friend  and  patron  of  artists 
and  scholars,  and  even  when  long  past  middle  life 
still  devoted  her  mornings  to  study.  They  had  two 
children,  a  son  named  for  the  great  Frederic  and  a 
daughter  named  for  that  adored  Queen  Louisa,  whose 
heroism  in  the  Napoleonic  struggle  had  won  world- 
wide recognition  and  admiration.  The  former, 
known  in  after  years  as  Frederic  the  Noble,  Emperor 
of  Germany,  was  a  wilful,  intractable  boy,  repre- 
sented in  an  unamiable  light  in  many  familiar  anec- 
dotes, yet  his  career  adorns  the  brightest  page  in  his 
country's  history.  The  Prince  was  devoted  to  these 
children,  superintending  their  physical,  mental  and 
spiritual  development,  instilling  in  their  minds  correct 
principles  and  noble  aims,  and  fitting  them  by  study, 
discipline  and  example  for  their  destined  high  sta- 
tions. He  was  standing  with  Louischen  in  his  arms 
one  morning  watching  a  military  procession,  when 
she,  excited  by  the  music,  sprang  through  an  open 
window  to  the  street  below.  Rushing  frantically 
down  stairs  he  was  relieved  to  find  her  in  the  arms 

55 


Chri.shiAO.s  LliAcJer  Three  Plags 


of  a  street  urchin  who,  standing  beneath  the  window, 
caught  her  as  she  fell.  Of  course  the  boy's  fortune 
was  made.  The  Prince,  clasping  his  darling  to  his 
breast,  handed  his  watch  and  chain  to  her  rescuer, 
and,  taking  his  name  and  address,  volunteered  his 
protection.  They  were  riding  together  in  after  years 
in  Unter-den-Linden,  he  German  Emperor,  she  Grand 
Duchess  of  Baden,  when  Hoedel  made  his  dastardly 
attempt  to  assassinate  his  sovereign,  and  he  springing 
forward  to  shield  his  child,  accomplished  thereby 
his  own  deliverance.  When  Nobiling  a  few  months 
afterward,  and  near  the  same  spot,  fired  at  and 
severely  wounded  his  master,  the  Emperor's  first 
words  on  recovering  from  the  shock  were  :  "  Thank 
God,  dear  Louischen  was  not  along  to-day  ! " 

The  Prince's  palace  was  built  during  the  Great 
Frederic's  reign,  and  it  is  recorded  that  when  the 
architect  applied  for  a  design  the  King,  who  was  out 
of  humor,  said,  pointing  to  a  mahogany  bureau  with 
a  zigzag  front  standing  near:  "  Model  it  after  that, 
adding  as  little  architectural  frippery  as  possible."  in 
front  stands  Ranch's  famous  statue  of  the  great 
ruler,  near  by  is  the  Alter  Schloss,  city  residence  of 
Prussians  monarchs,  the  new  Opera  House,  and 
many  handsome  public  buildings. 

Christmas  Eve,  1847,  though  bitter  cold,  was 
bright  and  sunny,  the  air  clear  and  crisp  was  musi- 

56 


T^  Qo\\Q\  Chns\n\ds  Tree 


cal  with  sleigii  bells,  and  the  streets,  though  ice 
bound,  were  gay  witii  rejoicing  crowds  evidently 
imbued  with  holiday  influences.  Directly  after 
breakfast  we  went  to  the  Thiergarten  Lake  to  wit- 
ness the  delightful  entertainment  given  there  daily  by 
Berlin's  far-famed  Skating  Club.  The  lake,  large, 
smooth,  solid,  mirroring  a  translucent  sky,  seemed 
with  its  banks  lined  with  brilliantly  costumed  spec- 
tators, to  suggest  and  invite  winter  sport.  A  mili- 
tary band,  sheltered  iii  a  warm  enclosure,  played  a 
succession  of  inspiring"  airs,  trained  voices  often 
joining"  in  and  enthusing^  both  onlookers  and  per- 
formers. The  skaters  executing  many  picturesque 
movements,  artistic  pantomimes,  exciting  games,  and 
dancing  polkas,  mazurkas,  cotillions,  waltzes,  were 
reputed  the  most  skilful  in  the  world.  Meyerbeer, 
who  was  a  frequent  visitor,  is  said  to  have  conceived 
there  the  beautiful  skating  scene  in  the  opera  Le 
Propbete  he  was  then  composing.  The  costumes 
of  the  skaters  were  tasteful  and  appropriate,  the  girls 
wearing  short,  narrow,  heavy  cloth  skirts,  with  tight 
fitting  bodices,  snug  hoods  or  hats,  and  a  profusion 
of  bright  bows,  rosettes  and  scarfs.  The  men  were 
mostly  in  uniform,  their  gay  sashes,  brilliant  orders 
and  decorations  enhancing  the  charm  of  their  lithe, 
graceful  figures.  There  were  no  accidents,  no  un- 
toward occurrences,  and  the  glorious  morning"  proved 

57 


CI\rLshi^as  uiider  Three  riags 


a  delightful  prelude  to  an  uiiforgetable  evening. 
Fraulein  von  Boyen  had  given  us  minute  directions 
as  to  our  costumes  and  the  prescribed  etiquette,  say- 
ing: "Dress  simply  and  inexpensively,  be  careful 
never  to  turn  your  backs  on  royal  personages,  never 
address  remarks  or  questions  to  them,  allowing  them 
the  initiative  in  conversation." 

Promptly  at  three  o'clock  we  alighted  at  the 
palace  porte  cochere,  and  ascending  the  marble  steps, 
at  the  top  and  bottom  of  which  stood  armed  senti- 
nels, were  received  by  liveried  ushers  and  conducted 
through  the  beautiful  hall  and  up  the  tlower-lined 
stairs  to  the  state  drawing  rooms  where  a  lady-in- 
waiting  met  us  and  accompanied  us  through  a  number 
of  superbly-furnished,  beautifully-decorated  rooms 
to  the  salle  de  miisiqiie,  where  Fraulein  von  Boyen 
welcomed  us,  and,  escorting  us  to  the  centre  of  the 
salle,  presented  us  to  Her  Royal  Highness,  the 
Crown  Princess. 

The  salle,  large  and  spacious, —  tessellated  floor, 
frescoed  ceiling,  walls  hung  with  mirrors  and  pictures, 
exquisite  bronzes  and  statues  alternating  with  palms, 
ferns  and  flowering  plants, —  had  at  its  extreme  end 
a  tlower-trimmed  stage,  the  lowered  curtain  of  which 
suggested  a  dramatic  performance.  Rows  of  hand- 
somely-cushioned arm  chairs  were  in  front  of  the 
stage,  and  just  beyond  them  stood  the  Crown  Prin- 

58 


1\  l^oyal  c;i\ilshi\(Ls  rrce 


cess,  surrounded  by  her  royal  cousins,  children  of 
her  father's  brothers.  Among;  her  guests  were  Lady 
Rose,  daughter  of  Lord  Westmoreland,  English 
Ambassador,  some  other  youthful  members  of  the 
Diplomatic  Corps  and  about  forty  or  fifty  maids 
and  youths,  children  of  personal  attendants  of  the 
Princess. 

The  Crown  Princess,  then  entering  her  teens, 
received  us  without  hesitation  or  timidity,  and  we 
marveled  at  her  self-possession  and  familiarity  with 
court  etiquette  ;  though  modest  and  gentle,  there  was 
a  notable  absence  of  self-assertion.  Dressed  in  a  blue 
challis  trimmed  with  swan's  down,  her  only  orna- 
ment was  a  gold  chain  around  her  bare  neck  from 
which  hung  a  medallion  miniature  of  her  grand- 
mother, said  to  be  her  father's  Christmas  present. 
Fair,  with  blue  eyes,  light  brown  hair  worn  simply 
plaited  down  her  back,  she  was  a  perfect  type  of 
happy,  innocent  girlhood,  her  plump,  rounded  pro- 
portions bespeaking  health  and  strength,  her  bright, 
expressive  face  beaming  with  hope  and  content. 
The  girls  were  dressed  in  bright  woolens,  bare  necks 
and  arms  without  ornaments ;  the  youths  wore  the 
uniforms  of  the  regiments  in  which  they  were  enrolled 
as  cadets.  The  Crown  Prince,  who  stood  near  his 
sister  and  gracefully  assisted  her,  wore  the  uniform 
of  the  Royal  Guards,  in  which  he  already  held   a 

59 


ChrLshi^as  Lliuler  Three  ricK)5 


command.  Tall,  slender,  rather  good  looking:,  he 
impressed  us  as  beino"  dignified  and  refined,  though 
grave  and  reserved.  There  was  some  stir  when  the 
King  and  Queen,  followed  by  the  Prince  and  Prin- 
cess, entered  unannounced.  The  Crown  Princess, 
stepping  forward,  greeted  them  cordially,  then  taking 
first  the  Queen's,  then  her  mother's,  then  the  King's, 
hands,  kissed  them  respectively.  She  then  took  her 
father's,  but  folding  her  in  liis  arms  he  kissed  her 
tenderly  on  the  brow.  Everybody  smiled  —  a  toucli 
of  nature  makes  the  whole  world  akin. 

The  King  and  Queen,  though  plain  and  un- 
attractive in  person  and  manner,  were  kind,  chari- 
table, devoted  to  each  other,  conscientious  in  the 
discharge  of  their  public  duties  and  universally  popu- 
lar. They  moved  unceremoniously  about  the  salle, 
chatting  pleasantly  with  their  niece's  guests  and 
seemingly  finding  the  scene  enjoyable.  My  brother 
said  next  day:  "At  first  disappointed,  I  was  glad 
the  King  and  Queen  did  not  wear  their  crowns,  for 
if  they  had  they  would  not  have  talked  so  freely  with 
us."  After  the  arrival  of  some  other  royal  personages, 
followed  by  a  number  of  gorgeously-uniformed 
officers  and  some  handsomely-dressed  maids  of 
honor,  attendants  on  the  Queen  and  Princess, 
the  ladies-in-waiting  distributed  the  programmes, 
gilt-engraved,  embossed   cards,  and   escorting    the 

6d 


6i 


J\  I^OLjcil  Chrishiui5  Tree 


Queen   and   Princess   to  the   front  chairs,  assigned 
us  to  those  in  the  rear. 
The  programme  read  : 

PANORAMIC    PRELUDE. 

FIRST   PART. 

Sci'ih's  from  ibc  Storv  of  the  NativiU'. 

1st  Scene. — Annunciation:  Hail  Mary  1  Blessed  art  thou 
amonii'  women  ! 

2nd  Scene. — Adoration  oi  the  Ma.ui :  We  hail  Thee.  Kinji'  of 
the  Jews. 

3rd  Scene. — The  Flight  into  Egypt:  Arise,  take  the  young- 
Child,  flee  into  Egypt,  and  be  there  until  I 
bring  thee  word. 

4th  Scene. — Transfiguration:  This  is  My  Beloved  Son.  in 
Whom  I  am  well  pleased.     Hear  ye  Him. 

SECOND   PART. 

Scenes  from  Prussian  Hi  storv. 

1st  SCENE. — Economy  and  Industry  kingly  attributes:  King 
Frederic  noticing  a  cr()wd  watching  a  shop- 
window  picture,  depicting  a  shabbily-dressed 
old  man.  a  far  simile  of  himself,  who.  h(jlding 
a  coffee-mill,  turned  the  handle  with  one  hand 
and  with  the  other  caught  the  falling  coffee 
grains,  ordered  the  picture  to  be  lowered  so 
his  subjects  could  see.  without  craning  their 
necks,  what  a  thrifty  king  they  had. 

63 


CI\rLsrnVvLs  Uiulcr    lUrce  I  Icuj.s 


2nd  Scene. — In  Prussia  Justice  outranks  Power :  An  unsightly 
old  mill  obscurinti'  the  view  from  Sans  Souci, 
King-  Frederic  determined  to  buy  and  remove 
it.  The  miller,  however,  refusinij  to  sell,  the 
agent  said:  ••Don't  choose  to  sell,  indeed! 
You  forg:et  His  Majesty  can  seize  your  mill  and 
clap  you  in  jail."  ••Not."  said  the  miller. 
••  whilj  we  have  the  Kammer-uericht  here  in 
Berlin."  The  Kinji.hearinii-  the  assent's  report, 
said:  ••  The  miller  is  rii^ht;  here  in  Prussia 
Justice  outranks  Power." 

3rd  Scene. — Honor  to  whom  honor  is  due:  Queen  Louisa, 
as  patriotic  as  gracious,  visited  the  Prussian 
camp  after  the  battle  of  Yena.  and  with  her 
own  hands  bestowed  the  order  of  the  Black 
Eagle  on  those  heroes  most  conspicuous  in 
defense  of  King  and  Fatherland. 

An  invisible  choir  clianted  to  piano  accompani- 
ment during-  tlie  first  part  of  the  program  some 
sacred  anthems ;  during  the  hrst  two  scenes  of  the 
second  part, the''  Prussian  Battle  Hymn," and  during 
the  last  scene,  "  God  Save  the  Queen,"  adding 
greatly  to  the  scenic  effect.  After  the  curtain  fell 
there  was  an  interval  of  lively,  friendly  conversation, 
everybody  commenting  on  the  Panoratnic  Prelude 
and  pronouncing  it  excellent,  unique,  inimitable.  We 
were  told  that  the  Crown  Princess,  consulting  with 
her  governess,  had  herself  selected  the  scenes,  which 

f4 


William  I.,   Emperor  of  Germany 


65 


/\  Roijcil  Chri^shiuLs  "Prcc 


were  copies  of  well-known  pictures  in  the  Berlin 
Art  Gallery,  and  managed  their  arrangement,  declin- 
ing the  proffered  services  of  some  professional 
decorators.  It  was  edifying  to  note  the  ill-concealed 
delight  of  the  royal  parents  at  the  success  of  their 
daughter's  undertaking,  every  feature  and  action  be- 
speaking that  parental  pride  which,  in  prince  or 
peasant,  nabob  or  pauper,  is  more  becoming  than 
any  human  adornment. 

About  half-past  four  o'clock  a  heavy  portiere 
quietly  opening  displayed  in  an  adjoining  room  a 
large,  brilliantly-lighted,  artistically-trimmed  tree,  its 
top  almost  reaching  the  ceiling,  its  outspreading 
branches  nearly  filling  the  room.  A  murmur  of  de- 
light was  heard,  and  surely  no  Hesperian  garden  or 
enchanted  forest  ever  showed  a  braver  specimen. 
The  King  and  Queen  and  royal  personages  led  the 
way,  and,  merrily  trooping  in,  almost  too  eager  for 
a  nearer  view  to  mind  our  P's  and  Q's,  we  flitted  to 
and  fro  around  the  tree.  The  decorations,  consist- 
ing of  golden  fruit,  paper  flowers  and  wreathes, 
stuffed  birds  and  animals,  with  bon-bons,  confec- 
tions and  ornaments,  spangled,  tinseled,  frosted,  of 
every  conceivable  hue  and  design,  were  crowned  by 
a  glittering  star.  Here  beneath  a  tuft  of  foliage 
would  be  a  bright-plumaged  bird  with  outstretched 
wings,  just  beyond  a  squinting  owl  so  life-like  we 


67 


ChiMshi^ti.s  LliKler    rUrcc   I'Ujg.s 


shrank  from  its  expected  screech ;  perched  on  this 
bough  would  be  a  frog  or  lizard  ;  on  that  one  a 
squirrel,  and  above  would  crouch  a  glossy  leopard. 
Beneath  the  tree  on  soft  green  moss  were  piled 
the  presents  —  presents  for  guests,  friends,  attendants, 
young  and  old  ;  generally  for  the  girls,  work-baskets, 
needle-cases  and  toilet  dainties  ;  for  the  boys,  knives, 
pocket-books,  fishing  and  hunting  implements.  My 
present  was  a  small  dressing-case,  my  sister's  a  silk 
reticule,  my  brother's  a  hunter's  horn. 

The  Crown  Princess  was,  of  course,  generously 
remembered,  and  seemed  much  pleased  with  our 
offering,  an  Indian  basket  curiously  wrought  with 
shells,  bird  feathers  and  sweet  grasses  and  con- 
taining a  pair  of  moccasins  and  a  watch-case,  all 
made  by  Indians  of  Northern  New  York.  Neither 
her  presents  to  members  of  the  royal  household  nor 
theirs  to  her  were  displayed. 

Old  Baron  Humboldt,  who  was  the  best-known 
and  most  poptilar  member  of  Berlin  society,  often 
called  the  court  enfant  gate  (spoiled  child),  acted  as 
Kris  Kringle,  and  played  the  role  to  perfection,  the 
King  and  Prince  of  Prussia  serving  as  his  aides  and 
leading  in  the  merriment  his  happy  jokes  excited. 
The  bon-bons  and  fancy  confections  on  the  tree 
were  divided  among  us  and  promptly  disposed  of, 
though  the  other  decorations  were  undisturbed,  the 

68 


Pf  Royal  Chri.stnuis  Tree 


tree  being  intended,  presumably,  for  use  on  another 
occasion.  After  the  presents  had  been  distributed 
the  Baron,  turning  to  the  Crown  Princess,  said  with 
mock  humility  :  "  Having  accomplished  my  task,  1 
await  further  orders  from  Your  Royal  Highness." 
"And  I,"  said  she,  handing  him  a  box  containing  a 
gold  pen,  "order  you,  honored  Baron,  to  reserve 
this  pen  for  the  sonnets  and  madrigals  to  be  hence- 
forth indited  to  your  lady-loves."  These  words,  the 
Baron  being  a  confirmed  old  bachelor,  never  having 
been  known  in  all  his  life  to  express  a  preference  for 
any  woman,  caused  a  general  titter. 

We  were  invited  to  partake  of  a  collation  in  the 
state  dining-room  —  bouillon,  ean  siicree,  cold 
meats,  salads,  ices,  cakes  and  divers  confections. 
The  King,  Queen  and  royal  personages  occupied 
tables  at  the  upper  end  of  the  room  and  enjoyed 
probably  a  more  elaborate  menu,  with  Champagne 
and  Johannisberg  ;  we  were  at  tables  lower  down, 
the  Crown  Princess,  her  brother  and  royal  cousins 
being  at  one  in  our  midst.  The  hilarity  usual  when 
young  people,  always  hungry,  enjoy  appetizing 
eatables  prevailed. 

At  the  close  of  the  repast  the  King,  Queen  and 
other  royalties  rose  and  passed  down  the  room, 
bowing  right  and  left.  The  Crown  Princess  then 
rose,  and,  stopping  at  each  table,  smilingly  bade  her 

69 


ChristnAQS  LliAcJer    rhree  nags 


ouests  good-night.  Guided  by  Fraulein  von  Boyen 
and  the  ladies-in-waiting  we  then  returned  to  the 
Salle  de  Miisique,  where,  superintending  the  donning 
of  our  wraps  and  being  sure  that  our  attendant  foot- 
men were  on  hand,  they  received  our  adieux.  By 
half  past  seven  we  were  back  at  home,  having  en- 
joyed an  entertainment  which,  thougli  formal  and 
ceremonious,  punctilious  etiquette  being  observed, 
was  free  from  stiifness  or  constraint  and  devoid 
of  anything  that  could  olTend  republican  pride. 
Though  the  marks  setting  apart  those  of  royal  blood 
were  unmistakable,  what  refined  courtesy,  what 
kindly  grace  characterized  their  intercourse  with  their 
unroyal  associates !  There  were  no  suggestions  of 
the  nouveanx  riches  or  parvenue  autocrats,  every- 
thing betokening  generations  of  culture  and  refine- 
ment, ancestral  dignity,  inherited  power  and  withal  a 
simplicity  and  modesty  characteristic  of  self-respect- 
ing superiority.  The  costumes  of  the  Queen  and 
Princesses  were  elegant  and  tasteful,  their  superb 
satins,  velvets,  brocades,  their  sparkling  jewels,  be- 
coming them  as  the  appropriate  setting  of  rare  gems. 
And  those  brave,  lordly  men!  so  chivalric  and  gentle, 
so  noble  and  courteous.  How  appropriate  seemed 
their  orders  and  decorations.  Truly  the  bravest  are 
the  tenderest ! 


Hll  ALCALDE'S   DAUGHTCI?  AMD 
HEP  CHPISTMAS   LAA\|) 


tititi 


LONG  years  ago,  while  the  Mexican  standard  still 
waved  over  the  Alamo,  San  Antonio  de  Bexar, 
the  most  tlourishing  Catholic  Mission  east  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  rejoiced  in  an  Alcalde  as  famous  for  wisdom 
and  virtue  as  for  piety  and  goodness.  Successful  in 
his  public  enterprises,  he  was  equally  fortunate  in  his 
private  relations,  having  a  beautiful  wife,  an  invit- 
ing home,  and  a  brood  of  stalwart  sons.  That  they 
had  no  daughter  was  much  regretted  by  both,  Donna 
hiez  saying :  "  Boys  serve  to  perpetuate  the  name 
and  uphold  the  family  honor,  but  it  is  the  girls  who, 
lifting  the  domestic  burden  from  the  mothers' 
shoulders,  and  cheering,  comforting  the  fathers, 
bless  and  brighten  home,"  and,  when  in  answer  to 
repeated  Novenas  of  prayer  and  votive  oflferings,  a 
daughter  was  born  to  them,  they,  naming  her  Maria 

7» 


CKrLshna^  LIrvier  Three  ricuj<. 


JesLisa  Pepita,  gratefully  dedicated  her  to  the  Virgin. 
Growing  in  beauty  and  grace  and  developing  many 
lovable  traits,  Jesusa  more  than  fulfilled  parental 
hopes.  Humoring,  petting  her  father,  preparing  his 
pulque,  filling  his  pipe,  she  became  his  daily  com- 
panion and  the  idol  of  his  heart. 

Don  Pedro's  office,  adjoining  the  Alamo,  then 
garrisoned  by  Mexican  troops  ordered  to  report  to 
him  and  serve  him  when  needed,  was  really  the  High 
Court  of  Justice  where  the  Mission  officials  met  to 
consider  public  matters,  whether  civil,  religious  or 
military.  His  home,  the  most  spacious  and  preten- 
tious at  the  Mission,  was  a  one-story,  flat-roof  adobe 
structure,  with  about  fifteen  chambers  separated  by 
quaint  halls,  corridors  and  alcoves,  and  stood  back 
of  the  Alamo  amid  extensive  grounds,  which, 
irrigated  by  a  large  acequui,  teemed  with  rare,  beauti- 
ful flowers,  with  orange,  lemon  and  citron  trees, 
with  vine-covered  bowers  and  arcades  almost  hidden 
beneath  clusters  of  luscious  grapes.  Some  curious 
animals  roamed  in  these  beautiful  grounds,  and 
among  those  specially  petted  and  cared  for  by  Jesusa 
were  chihuahua  dogs,  tricky  and  playful ;  Maltese 
cats,  soft-eyed  fawns,  white  rabbits,  and  a  canary 
bird  which,  as  it  tuned  up  when  the  matin  and 
vesper  bells  rang,  was  supposed  to  be  under  the 
Virgin's  protection.     Though  an  earnest  defender  of 


The  Alamo 


73 


The  AicalOc's  DciugKrcr 

the  faith,  Don  Pedro  was  a  devotee  of  those  sports  — 
cock  t]^-hting-,  bull  tightiiig,  card  playing  —  patro- 
nized by  his  associates.  He  had  a  cock  pit  in  his 
yard  for  the  rearing  and  training  of  game  cocks, 
where  their  mettle  was  often  tried  Sunday  afternoons, 
and  on  his  Salado  ranch,  where,  in  spite  of  frequent 
Indian  raids,  his  family  spent  much  time,  he  had 
a  breed  of  superior  bulls  imported  from  Spain. 

Opposite  the  Alamo  on  the  slope  leading  to  the 
river  stood  a  number  oi  jacals  tenanted  by  humble 
Mexican  families,  with  one  of  whom  lived  a  boy  and 
girl  supposed  from  their  fair  complexions,  blue  eyes 
and  light  hair,  to  be  stragglers  from  the  western 
white  settlements,  and  who  were  known  as  the 
Americanos  — the  boy  being  called  Cano  and  the 
girl  Cana.  Though  kindly  cared  for  by  their  pro- 
tectors—  Mexicans  are  proverbially  patient  and  in- 
dulgent with  children— they  never  aftlliated  with  their 
playmates,  but,  holding  themselves  aloof,  seemed 
to  be  ever  brooding  over  some  secret  sorrow.  The 
boy,  smart  and  ingenious,  was  often  seen  hanging 
round  the  Alamo,  where  doing  odd  jobs  for  the 
garrison  and  making  himself  useful,  he  became  a 
great  favorite.  Jesusa,  generous,  unselfish,  sympa- 
thetic, was  as  popular  with  the  Mission  juveniles  as 
the  Alcalde  with  their  elders.  Noticing  Cana  watch- 
ing her  bird  one  morning,  she  invited  her  to  come  in 

75 


Chri5hnas  Lli\(Jcr  Three  ricigs 


and  become  acquainted  with  her  pets.  Children 
easily  become  friends,  a  certain  free-masonry  open- 
ing their  hearts  and  drawing  them  together,  and 
Jesiisa,  improving  the  meeting  in  the  garden,  became 
the  generous  patron  of  Cana,  constantly  making  her 
presents  and  treating  her  to  unexpected  pleasures. 

San  Antonio,  though  isolated  from  social  and 
commercial  privileges  and  almost  exclusively  ab- 
sorbed in  religious  interests,  was  gay  and  sociable, 
fandangoes,  card  parties,  alfresco  banquets, 'at  which 
the  famous  Mexican  dishes  —  tortillas,  tomales,  fri- 
joles,  chile  con  carne,  dulces  con  fruta  —  were 
served  in  perfection,  being  of  frequent  occurrence. 
Holidays  abounded.  Saints'  Days,  National  An- 
niversaries, Family  Fetes  being  carefully  and  elab- 
orately observed,  and  at  no  place  was  Christmas 
celebrated  with  more  pomp  and  solemnity. 
Two  San  Antonio  Christmas  observances  —  the 
Pastores  and  Christmas  Lamp  —  deserve  special 
notice.  The  former  was  a  species  of  dramatic 
performance  intended  to  represent  the  Passion  of 
Christ,  and  given  every  night  during  Christmas 
week ;  the  latter  was  founded  on  the  familiar  legend 
that  the  Infant  Jesus,  descending  from  His  Father's 
Heavenly  Throne  to  His  Virgin  Mother's  Arms, 
noticed  a  lighted  lamp  hanging  near  an  humble  home, 
and  learning  that  it  was  intended  to  commemorate 


The  /Alcalde's  Daughter 


the  guiding  of  tlie  Magi  by  the  Star  of  Bethlehem 
to  His  lowly  manger,  blessed  the  home  and  its  inmates, 
leaving  as  visible  marks  of  His  Favor  some  desired 
presents. 

On  Christmas  Eve,  \8]-,  much  excitement  pre- 
vailed at  the  Mission,  it  being  announced  that  the 
Alcalde  had  contributed  a  generous  sum  towards 
improving  and  adorning  the  hall  to  be  used  for  the 
Pastores,  which  would  be  represented  on  a  hand- 
somer scale  than  ever  before,  and  that  Padre  ignacio, 
the  San  Fernando  priest,  who,  officiating  for  many 
years  at  christenings,  marriages,  funerals,  and  hearing 
confessions,  imposing  penances  or  granting  indul- 
gences—  thus  becoming  the  Alter  Ego  of  devout  San 
Antonians  —  had,  yielding  to  the  solicitations  of  some 
influential  San  Fernando  parishioners,  consented  to 
bless  the  lamps  in  church,  thus  giving  them  public 
consecration.  Heretofore,  they  had  only  been 
blessed  privately.  Many  of  them,  a  few  being  costly 
and  ornate,  were  heirlooms,  having  belonged  to  the 
parents,  grand-parents,  great-grand-parents,  of  their 
owners,  and  being  endeared  by  tender  domestic 
associations. 

Until  a  certain  age  children  were  not  allowed  to 
handle  Christmas  lamps,  their  parents  acting  for 
them ;  and  attaining  the  prescribed  age,  were  required 
by  fasting  and  prayer  to  prepare  themselves  for  the 


ChrLshna.s  U\m\cv    Ihrcc  riacj.s 


ceremony,  the  failure  of  the  Holy  Child  to  notice 
their  lamps  and  leave  some  mark  of  favor  being- 
regarded  as  the  severest  of  rebukes.  An  importance 
somewhat  similar  to  the  asstiming  of  the  toga  by 
Roman  youths,  or  to  the  reception  by  sovereigns  of 
royal  courtiers,  was  attached  to  the  function.  The 
plazas  de  Yslas  y  de  Armas,  adjoining  San  Fernando, 
generally  crowded  on  afternoons  with  rancheros 
driving  bargains  or  computing  gains  and  losses, 
were  filled  on  the  Christmas  Eve  referred  to  with 
devout  lamp -bearing  worshippers  wending  their  way 
to  church.  Padre  Ignacio  officiated  at  the  Vesper 
service,  then  pronouncing  the  benediction  retired  to 
the  Sacristy,  where  he  laid  aside  his  altar  vestments 
and,  returning  to  the  church  wearing  his  plain  priestly 
robe,  stood  outside  the  chancel  rail  and  awaited  the 
lamp  bearers  desiring  his  blessing,  who,  advancing 
in  line,  knelt  before  him.  Taking  each  lamp  in  his 
hand  he  made  over  it  the  sign  of  the  cross,  and 
having  blessed  them  all  said  solemnly  :  "  Domine, 
ad  adjuvandem  vos  festina."  it  was  an  impressive 
scene,  deeply  moving  the  lamp-bearers,  who,  re- 
turning home,  lighted  and  hung  their  lamps  on 
previously-selected  poles  or  bushes,  where  shining 
like  stars  in  the  quiet  skies  they  seemed  to  retlect 
the  simple,  trusting  faith  characteristic  of  all  sincere 
followers  of  Christ. 


\'\\c  Akcil<l('\s   l)iiu(|hrcr 


The  Alcalde,  deeply  interested,  burnished  and 
prepared  with  his  own  hands  his  daughter's  lamp, 
she  being-  too  young  to  do  so  herself ;  then  lighting 
it,  hung  it  — ignoring  his  own  preference  for  a 
secluded  nook  near  her  window  —  in  an  obscure 
angle  of  an  unfrequented  corner  of  the  Alamo  which 
she,  as  familiar  Vith  the  Alamo  as  with  her  own 
home,  had  chosen.  It  happened  to  be  just  under  the 
hall  where  Bowie,  Crockett,  Travis,  and  their  brave 
comrades  made  their  desperate  stand  some  years 
later  against  Santa  Anna  and  where,  sealing  with 
their  blood  their  devotion  to  liberty  and  indepen- 
dence, they  enriched  human  annals  with  that  sub- 
limest  of  all  sublime  records. 


THE   PASTORES 

Picture  a  large  barn-like  hall  without  doors  or 
windows,  hard  dirt  floor,  rough-plastered  walls  on 
which  some  oil  lamps  and  tallow  candles  in  wooden 
brackets  smoke  and  cast  a  dim  spectral  light.  A 
platform  raised  about  two  feet  above  the  floor  and 
extending  across  the  entire  back  of  the  hall  serves  as 
a  stage,  and  some  large,  striped  Mexican  blankets  do 
duty  as  a  drop  curtain.  The  actors  remain  all  the 
time  on  the  stage,  those  taking  part  in  the  scenes 
advance  to  the  center,  play  their  roles,  then  retire  to 

79 


Ct\ristn^as  Under  Three  Hags 


the  sides  where  those  not  acting  gather  behind  the 
curtain  and  are  supposed  to  be  invisible.  There  was 
no  attempt  at  scenic  effect,  no  applause,  but  absorbed, 
unflagging  attention.  In  front  of  the  stage  were 
some  large  chairs,  in  which  Don  Pedro,  Donna  hiez 
and  other  distinguished  personages  were  seated ;  back 
of  the  chairs  were  rows  of  benches  occupied  by  well- 
dressed  men  and  women,  and  in  open  spaces  behind 
and  on  the  sides  of  the  benches  a  motley  crowd  of 
women  wearing  rehosjs  and  sewing,  knitting,  or 
plaiting  and  combing  their  hair,  and  men  wearing 
sombreros  and  drinking  pulque,  smoking,  or  playing 
cards,  sat  flat  on  the  floor.  After  rather  a  long  wait, 
some  musicians  sitting  near  the  stage  sang  to  a  guitar 
accompaniment  some  disconnected  strains  from 
church  chants  or  masses.  The  curtain,  parting  and 
being  drawn  aside,  discloses  two  men,  the  one  fair, 
handsome  and  well-dressed,  representing  the  Angel 
of  God,  the  other  dark,  ugly,  wiih  a  club  foot  and 
horns  projecting  above  a  lowering  brow,  representing 
the  devil,  who  have  an  excited  dispute  about  the  ad- 
vent of  the  expected  Redeemer.  Ihcse  two  men 
appear  in  every  scene.  Then  follow  in  regular  suc- 
cession the  Annunciation,  the  Adoration  of  the  Magi, 
Christ  in  the  Temple,  the  Temptation,  the  Crucifixion, 
the  Empty  Sepulchre,  all  being  taken  literally  from 
the  Bible,     in  the  last  scene  the  Devil  kneels  before 

80 


The  Alcalde's   Daughter 


The  Alccilde'.s  iXiughrer 


the  Angel  of  God,  acknowledges  the  Divinity  of 
Christ,  and  begs  to  be  admitted  to  the  community 
of  the  Redeemed. 

I^he  Virgin  was  personated  by  a  young,  beautiful, 
pure-looking  woman  ;  Christ  by  a  handsome,  re- 
fined youth ;  Pontius  Pilate  by  a  large,  vulgar-looking 
man  ;  Herodias  by  a  saucy,  bold  girl ;  Mary  Magda- 
lene by  a  pale,  forlorn  looking  woman.  There  were 
occasional  intermissions  during  which  the  singers 
treated  the  audience  to  some  rather  sweet  music.  A 
cynic,  marveling  that  the  managers  of  the  Pastores 
should  select  scenes  'from  a  Bible  they  never  read, 
might  describe  the  performance  as  a  travesty  of  a 
faith  they  would  die  to  defend,  yet  he  would  have  to 
acknowledge  the  earnest  interest  taken  by  the  audi- 
ence to  be  significant  of  the  human  sympathy  always 
aroused  by  the  story  of  Bethlehem. 

The  most  pleasant  of  Christmas  Eve  duties,  ar- 
ranging the  childrens'  presents  near  or  under  the 
lighted  lamps,  followed  the  Pastores.  Occasionally 
a  lamp  would  be  hung  in  a  chapel  or  other  preferred 
place  not  adjoining  the  family  home,  there  being  no 
danger  of  its  being  molested,  a  certain  sacredness 
protecting  both  lamp  and  presents. 

Waking  early,  Jesusa  crept  on  tip-toe  from  her 
little  room  and  hurried  to  the  spot  where  her  lamp 

8> 


Chri.stnAcKs  uivlci"    Three  nags 

had  been  hung-,  trembling;  with  glad  expectancy  of 
the  beautiful  things  she  hoped  to  find  there.  A  light 
still  flickered  in  it,  but  there  was  nothing  beneath  or 
near  it.  What  could  it  mean  ?  She  stood  a  mo- 
ment spel^-bound,  then  recalling  some  childish  mis- 
demeanors she  burst  into  tears,  and  falling  on  her 
knees,  sobbed  :  "  I  have  been  wicked.  I  was  not 
worthy  of  Thy  favor,  Holy  Child  of  God !  Thou 
hast  seen  fit  to  punish  me."  Don  Pedro  and  Donna 
Inez,  hearing  her  leave  the  house,  had  followed  her, 
wishing  to  see  her  delight  at  the  pleasant  surprises 
they  had  prepared  for  her.  ''  Wicked,  indeed,"  said 
he;  "the  angels  in  heaven  are  not  purer.  Some 
thief  has  despoiled  you.  We  '11  catch  him,  punish 
him  and  force  him  to  make  restitution." 

Though  slow  to  anger  and  prone  to  mercy,  he 
was  so  incensed  that  he  summoned  the  Mission 
Council  to  meet  at  once  in  his  office  to  consider  an 
important  matter.  A  night  guard  at  the  Alamo 
testified  that  making  his  rounds  he  saw  the  white  girl 
called  Cana  cross  the  street  and  go  round  the  corner 
where  the  lamp  hung ;  that  later  he  saw  her  again 
cross  the  street  and  return  home,  but  that  seeing  her 
often  playing  with  Jesusa  he  suspected  nothing,  and 
did  not  follow  her.  However,  when  relieved  from 
duty,  he  picked  up  near  the  corner  she  had  passed  the 
dukes  and  ribbon  end,  which  he  there  and  then  pro- 

84 


The  /Alcalde's  Dough rer 


duced.  The  Mexican  woman  with  whom  the  child 
lived  testified  that  early  that  morning  Cana  had  di- 
vided with  her  children  a  box  of  diilces,  and  had 
given  her  a  bow  from  which  the  ribbon  end  had  evi- 
dently been  detached,  claiming  to  have  fo.und  them. 
Cana  when  arrested  and  brought  to  the  Alcalde's  of- 
fice, denied  bitterly  any  knowledge  of  either  ciulces 
or  ribbon,  then  when  cross-questioned  she  became 
confused  and  finally  began  crying:  "  I  knew  where 
Jesusa  meant  to  hang  her  lamp,  i  was  curious  to 
see  what  she  had,  then  I  don't  know  how  or  why  1 
did  it,  1  grabbed  her  things,  carried  them  home  and 
hid  them  in  the  hole  at  the  foot  of  the  hill." 

Jesusa,  who  had  been  sitting  on  a  stool  at  her 
father's  feet,  slipped  to  Cana's  side  and  gently  took 
her  hand.  ''  Don't  cry,  Cana,"  said  she.  "  You  've 
done  nothing  wrong.  You  knew  I  would  be  willing 
for  you  to  have  them."  "  Seiior  Alcalde,"  said  one 
of  the  Council,  a  tall,  dark  man  with  a  loud,  harsh 
voice,  ''  justice  and  public  safety  demand  the  pun- 
ishment of  criminals,  and  I  move  that  this  self-con- 
victed thief  be  fined  twenty-five  pesos  and  in  default 
of  payment  of  said  fine  that  she  be  stripped  and 
publicly  flogged,  then  confined  during  Christmas 
week  in  the  Mission  jail."  Cano,  who,  hanging  his 
head  in  shame,  had  crouched  behind  the  door,  here 
sprang  forward,  fell  on  his  knees  and  grasping  Jesusa's 


Cl\rbrlna^  UiAiler    I'hvtc  Tlcigs 


hand,  prayed  :  "Oh!  Jesiisa,  don't  let  them  strip 
and  flog"  my  sister.  1  have  strong  arms  and  keen 
eyes.  1  will  work  and  earn  the  money  to  pay 
for  the  things  Cana,  poor  little  weak  lamb,  took. 
For  the  love  of  God,  for  the  Holy  Virgin's  sake,  don't 
let  them  whip  her."  Jesusa,  kindly  pressing  his  hand, 
said :  "  Have  no  fear,"  then  throwing  her  arms  round 
her  father's  neck,  cried :  "Padre  mio,  caro  padre 
mio,  you  have  never  refused  a  request.  Don't  let 
them  harm  Cana."  "  Be  quiet,  my  love  " ;  then  turn- 
ing to  the  Junta  he  said  firmly  (and  Don  Pedro  knew 
well  how  and  when  to  assume  the  air  of  authority) : 
"  i  will  pay  this  child's  fine  and  give  her  the  protec- 
tion of  my  home.     1  also  adjourn  the  Junta.'' 

He  then  summoned  the  Mexican  with  whom  the 
children  lived  and  obtained  from  him  the  following 
story : 

"  As  has  been  my  custom  for  some  time,  1  went 
last  year  to  the  Comanche  Camp  on  the  Pecos  for 
trading  purposes,  and  while  there  noticed  two  white 
children  whose  miserable  condition  excited  my  pity 
and  caused  me  to  ask  the  chief  who  they  were  and 
where  they  came  from.  Evading  my  questions  at 
first,  he  finally  told  me  that  he  had  stolen  them  while 
on  a  horse-raiding  expedition  to  the  Brazos  ;  that 
going  through  the  woods  late  one  evening  near  a  house 
occupied  by  apparently  well-to-do  people,  he  saw  the 

86 


The  Alcalde's  Daughter 


children  ^atherin^e:  pecans,  and  creeping  up  to  them, 
seized  them,  strapped  them  to  the  back  of  his  horse 
and  fled,  expecting  to  ransom  them  for  a  considerable 
sum.  He  sent  an  agent  to  make  terms  with  the 
parents,  but  the  agent,  returning,  reported  that  the 
affair  had  created  such  a  stir  he  thought  It  unadvisable 
to  broach  the  subject.  I  proposed  a  trade,  and  he 
agreed  to  take  for  them  a  mule,  a  bridle  and  a  red 
blanket.  1  brought  them  home,  intending  to  try  for 
the  ransom,  but  I  did  not  know  how  to  go  about  it." 
"  Speaking  of  ransom,  for  how  much  could  you, 
amigo  mio,  be  induced  to  relinquish  all  claims  to 
these  children  ?  "  asked  the  Alcalde.  *'  Senor,  you 
know  me  to  be  a  poor  man  with  a  family  to  support, 
and  needing  money  badly.  Otherwise,  I  would  pre- 
sent them  to  your  honor.  Would  you  be  willing  to 
offer  twenty /)^sos  ?  "  "  Here  are  T\iiy  pesos.  Read 
and  sign  this  agreement,  which,  as  you  will  see,  trans- 
fers to  me  your  right  and  claim  to  them." 

Obtaining  the  requisite  authority,  the  Alcalde 
engaged  a  man,  known  to  be  trustworthy,  to  take 
charge  of  the  Americanos,  go  with  them  to  the 
neighborhood  designated,  hunt  up  their  parents  and 
restore  to  them  their  stolen  children.  Supplying 
them  with  clothes  and  giving  to  each  one  a  well-filled 
purse,  the  Alcalde  said,  on  parting  with  them: 
"  Never  forget  that  you  owe  your  deliverance  from 

87 


Christmas  Under  Three  nags 


captivity,  and  your  restoration  to  home  and  friends, 
to  Jesusa,  and  remember  her  in  your  prayers." 

The  leave-taking  between  the  two  little  girls  could 
not  have  been  more  affecting  had  they  been  sisters, 
and  Cano's  trembling  lips  and  tearful  eyes  as  he  bade 
Jesusa  good-bye  expressed  more  eloquently  than 
words  the  grateful  emotions  surging  in  his  brave 
boyish  heart,  in  due  time  letters  came  from  the 
rejoicing  parents  invoking  God's  blessing  on  the 
kind-hearted,  generous  Alcalde.  Believing  that  their 
little  ones  had,  lost  in  the  woods,  perished  from 
starvation,  or  been  drowned  in  the  Brazos,  they  had 
mourned  them  as  dead. 

The  night  following  the  disappointing  morning 
and  the  harrowing  scene  in  her  father's  office  found 
little  Jesusa  ready  for  bed  betimes.  While  she 
slept.  Donna  Inez,  entering  her  room  noiselessly, 
hung  above  her  cot  a  picture  depicting  the  healing 
of  Jairus'  daughter,  and  opposite  a  scroll  inscribed, 
*'  Blessed  are  the  merciful,  for  they  shall  obtain 
mercy,"  both  scroll  and  picture  being  the  work 
the  Nuns  at  the  Mission  Convent,  who, 
hearing  of  Jesusa's  defense  of  Cana,  aspired  to 
play  the  part  of  rewarding  spirits ;  and  nearby,  a 
doll  dressed  as  a  queen  and  many  playthings  and 
trinkets  calculated  to  please  a  little  girl. 

Awaking  and  seeing  the  scroll,  Jesusa  supposed 

88 


San  Fernando  Cathedral 


89 


'I\e  Alcalde'^  Dtiugkrcr 


she  must  be  dreaming,  then  noticing  her  other 
treasures,  she  sprang  from  bed,  calling:  "Come 
madre,  come  padre,-  the  angels  have  been  here. 
See  what  they  brought  me.  it  must  mean  that  the 
Holy  Child  smiles  on  me.  You  will  go  with  me, 
will  you  not,  carrissimos,  to  church  and  join  me  in 
grateful  thanks  for  His  Divine  Favor,"  and  the 
adoring  parents,  unrestrained  by  thoughts  of  super- 
stition or  deception,  encouraged  their  trusting  child 
in  her  innocent  delusion. 

Eventful  changes  fill  the  succeeding  years.  The 
Texas  settlers  in  the  towns  and  counties  contiguous 
to  San  Antonio,  finding  the  tyranny  and  injustice  of 
the  Mexican  authorities  intolerable,  determine  to 
throw  oif  all  allegiance  to  them  and  organize  a 
separate,  independent  government.  The  wise  and 
effective  means  of  resistance  adopted  culminate  in 
the  struggles  at  Gonzales  and  Goliad,  where  the 
Texans  win  decisive  victories. 

Emboldened  by  success,  they  advance  on  San 
Antonio,  defended  by  General  Cos  with  a  large  Mex- 
ican force,  and  after  eight  days  of  continuous  skir- 
mishing compel  him  to  surrender.  Entering  the  town, 
they  garrison  the  Alamo  with  Texas  troops  and  hoist 
over  it  the  Lone  Star  Flag.  The  Alcalde,  loyal  to 
duty,  had  rendered  valuable  assistance  to  the  Mexican 
commander  and,  when  the  latter  retreated,  retired  with 

9' 


Christmas  Under  Three  ricigs 


his  family  to  his  Salado  ranch  where,  detained  by 
Donna  hiez's  serious  illness,  he  remained  until  the 
recapture  of  San  Antonio  by  Santa  Anna  restored 
Mexican  supremacy.  His  two  eldest  sons  fell  at 
Goliad,  bravely  defending  their  national  colors, 
and  the  two  younger  ones  were  killed  a  year  later  in  a 
skirmish  on  the  Rio  Grande.  Returning  to  San 
Antonio  the  day  after  the  massacre  of  the  brave  de- 
fenders of  tlie  Alamo,  he  was  shocked  at  the  atroc- 
ities committed  by  Santa  Anna  and,  condemning 
them  in  unmeasured  terms,  kindly  sought  to  alle- 
viate the  sufferings  of  the  Texans  still  remaining  at 
the  mission. 

The  defeat  of  Santa  Anna  at  San  Jacinto  and  his 
subsequent  inglorious  return  to  Mexico,  effectually 
relieved  Texas  from  Mexican  thraldom,  though  the 
alternate  occupation  of  San  Antonio  by  Texans 
under  Hays  and  Howard,  and  by  Mexicans  under 
Vasquez  and  Woll,  resulted  in  prolonging  chaotic 
conditions  there  for  some  years. 

Don  Pedro,  gracefully  yielding  to  the  inevitable, 
made  no  effort  to  exercise  his  official  functions  after 
the  organization  of  the  Texas  government.  Known, 
however,  as  the  Alcalde,  he  was  deferred  to  by  both 
Texans  and  Mexicans,  and,  always  found  acting  with 
the  upright  and  orderly,  lost  neither  public  respect 
nor  influence. 

92 


"he  Alcalde's  l)cui()l\rer 


When  General  Sam  Houston  was  elected  and  in- 
augurated President  of  the  Republic  of  Texas  the 
citizens  of  San  Antonio  invited  him  to  visit  their 
town,  and,  on  his  acceptance  of  the  invitation,  they 
determined  to  give  him  a  public  reception  to  con- 
clude with  a  ball  and  banquet.  The  Alcalde,  asked 
to  act  as  chairman  cf  the  reception  committee,  sur- 
prised every  one  by  agreeing  to  do  so  and  by  ad- 
vancing a  handsome  contribution  towards  defraying 
the  expenses  of  the  reception.  The  ball  was  given 
in  the  large  hall  of  the  Veramendi  House  and  proved 
a  gratifying  success.  President  Houston  was  accom- 
panied by  his  Staff,  Chief  of  which  was  a  handsome 
young  officer,  Captain  Osborn,  who,  enlisting  as  a 
private  at  San  Jacinto,  had  been  promoted  on  the 
battlefield  for  conspicuous  gallantry.  He  was  selected 
to  open  the  ball  with  the  Alcalde's  daughter,  Don 
Pedro  himself  presenting  him  to  her.  Then  in  the 
efflorescence  of  her  maidenly  charms,  Jesusa  was  so 
lovely,  her  voice  was  so  musical,  her  manner  so 
gracious,  that  all  hearts  nivokmtarily  crowned  her 
queen  of  love  and  beauty. 

And  Captain  Osborn,  could  he  resist  such  fas- 
cinations ?  Nous  venous.  Following  the  ball  came 
a  dinner  at  the  Alcalde's,  then  other  entertainments 
given  by  hospitable  San  Antonians,  at  all  of  which 
Captain   Osborn  was   Jesusa's  devoted   attendant. 

95 


Chrisfmas  Under  Three  riags 


People  smiled  and  said:  "How  well  they  suit! 
What  a  fine  match  it  would  be  !  "  Captain  Osborn 
accompanied  the  President  back  to  Washington,  the 
first  Capital  of  Texas,  but  returned  to  San  Antonio 
in  a  few  weeks,  when  the  Alcalde  announced  his 
daughter's  betrothal  to  President  Houston's  Chief  of 
StaiT. 

One  evening  the  lovers  were  walking  together 
near  the  Alamo  when  he  asked  :  "  Do  you  remem- 
ber once  hanging  a  Christmas  lamp  in  the  angle  of 
that  corner  ?  "  ''  Of  course  I  do.  It  is  one  of  the 
dearest  of  my  childish  memories."  "  And  do  you 
remember  a  little  boy  who  once  knelt  to  you  in 
your  father's  ot^lce  and  implored  you  to  protect  his 
sister  ?  "  "  Oh  !  "  said  she,  the  light  of  memory 
restoring  the  boyish  cast  to  his  features,  and  recall- 
ing as  if  by  magic  that  exciting  scene,  "  Can  it  be  ? 
Yes,  you  must  be,  you  are  Cano."  *'  The  dream 
of  rriy  life,  Jesusa,  has  been  to  meet  you  again,  and 
meeting  you,  the  most  cherished  hope  of  my  heart 
has  been  to  win  your  love."  "  Well,  you  have  suc- 
ceeded," said  she  archly. 

Of  course,  Padre  Ignacio,  her  life-long  friend 
and  confessor,  who  had  christened  her  and  blessed 
her  at  her  first  communion,  otiiciated  at  the  Nuptial 
Mass,  and  who  could  wonder  if  amid  the  decora- 
tions transforming  the  San  Fernando  altar  into  a 

94 


Tl\e  TXIcalde's  Daughter 


mass  of  fragrant  bloom  there  hung  a  Christmas 
lamp,  whose  flickering  light,  though  obscured  by  the 
glorious  sunshine  flooding  the  church,  cast  a  mild 
benison-lilce  radiance  over  the  young  couple — brave 
soldier  boy  and  maiden  fair — plighting  their  wedded 
troth  there,  a  radiance  betokening  faith,  hope  and 
undying  love. 


95 


